My school is giving me the ACT test on March 3rd and I’m wondering what study materials you guys recommend. I am applying to some top colleges (Yale SCEA, Duke, Davidson, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill) and I need at least a 32. My friends said they didn’t study and they got a 30 so I’m unsure how much I should study. I am considering ordering the Barron 36 book and the Princeton 2015 ACT books; What do you guys think of these books? Anything else you guys recommend I study?
I would also pick up the Red Book: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-real-act-3rd-edition-act-inc/1105552486?ean=9780768934328&x=44071802 and Elite 36 (It’s by PR, but I was not sure of the ones you exactly got) http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/act-elite-36-princeton-review/1119740145?ean=9780804125550&x=44071802
I’m assuming this is your first time taking the ACT? What grade are you in? What math classes have you taken? The areas are; reading, english, math, science, and writing (if you decide to take it). Are those areas your strengths or weaknesses? You want to study at least everything a few times to get a feel for how questions will be asked and worded. However, you do not want to spend too much time on an area where you feel confident in, instead of working on an area you’re worried about.
Definitely get the Red Book, it’s released by the actual test makers so its tests are probably the most accurate (I personally don’t like studying with Barron’s for tests like this because the low scores get depressing and make me lose interest in studying). If you haven’t learned any basic trig, you should learn what each of the trig functions stands for (https://www.khanacademy.org/math/trigonometry/basic-trigonometry/basic_trig_ratios/v/basic-trigonometry) and maybe learn from any mistakes you make while practicing. I would take a whole practice test, then work on individual sections at a time from there. I think the biggest problem I’ve had studying for ACT is just getting used to the timing.
The Red book for sure. I also used Barrons ACT 36, Barrons ACT Math and Science Workbook, and Princeton Review Cracking the ACT. All these books worked wonderfully.
Don’t go off your friends saying they didn’t study. You should definitely study and work to get that score up as high as you can.
Definitely get the Red Book. It’s really really good because it has answers and explanations for all the questions. Just work at each section as hard as you can (starting with your weakest one) and make sure you’re analyzing your mistakes on each and every question. Good luck!
I am a junior and just took PreCal so I got the trig functions down. Still going to study them. Ordered Red Book, Barron 36 and picked up Princeton ACT Elite 36 at Barnes and noble today. Starting with Princeton to get section by section review and to see which section is my worst. Took English today got a 30 so will need so more prep on that.
Guys I really epic suck at math. Took the math practice today and got a 25. What is the best way to content review for math? I tried using the now, later, never method and it really didn’t work for me. I also didn’t really find a lot of use for plug and chug like the book suggested. What do you guys suggest? My big issue is time. I always run out and have to frantically answer c for everything. I’m decent at math when I have time but if I have a time limit I’m screwed.
The only way you will get better at it is to practice. There’s nothing on here that people can say or do to help you. Its all about you.